Category: Digital – AI & Apps

News and media stories that reflect Internet activities via social media, AI, Apps, and digital communication channels.

Categories
Art & Life Business Culture Digital - AI & Apps Lifestyle Programs & Events Travel & Leisure

Matt Rife sets two Netflix comedy specials, including first full-length crowd work show

More Matt Rife is coming to Netflix.

 

Following his comedy special “Natural Selection” in November 2023, Rife will make two more specials at Netflix. The first in Rife’s two-special deal is set to release later this year. It will be Netflix’s first-ever, full-length crowd work special. It will shoot at The Comedy Zone in Charlotte, N.C., and will be directed by Erik Griffin. Irony Point will produce, along with Rife and his manager Christina Shams as executive producers.

 

Rife’s “Natural Selection,” brought in more than 10 million views in the first few weeks of its release along with reaching the Global Top 10 in 42 countries. Prior to his Netflix hit, Rife released three YouTube specials, which he self-produced and distributed, that now sit at 43 million views.

 

The comedian is also a social media star after his career grew by going viral times on TikTok and having a combined 33 million followers and 2 billion views across all platforms. Last year, Rife broke Ticketmaster due to high demand for ticket sales to “The ProbleMATTic World Tour.” The tour included four sold-out shows at Dolby Theater, six nights at Radio City Music Hall and five sold-out shows at Mohegan Sun Area. While his “ProbleMATTic World Tour” is still going strong, there are more stops to come in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

 

Rife returns to Los Angeles to headline The Hollywood Bowl on May 8 for the Netflix Is A Joke Festival, which will be his first-ever appearance.

 

Read More

 

 

— Variety

Categories
Business Digital - AI & Apps Economics International & World Lifestyle Programs & Events Technology

Wipro Limited to announce results for the fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2024, on April 19, 2024

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. & BANGALORE, India — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $WIPRO #DigitalTransformation — Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) a leading technology services and consulting company, will announce results for the fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2024, on Friday, April 19, 2024, after stock market trading hours in India.

 

The results will be available in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.wipro.com/investors/

 

At 7 p.m. IST* (9:30 a.m. U.S. ET) following the results announcement, the senior management will discuss the company’s performance for the quarter and answer questions sent by 6:30 p.m. IST* (9 a.m. U.S. ET) to: dipak.bohra@wipro.com or abhishek.jain2@wipro.com

 

The audio from the conference call will be available online through a webcast and can be accessed at https://links.ccwebcast.com/?EventId=WIP190424

 

Dial-in details for the conference call are as below

 

Time

7 p.m. – IST* (9:30 a.m. – ET#)

Click here for the diamond pass link

Diamond Pass™ is a Premium Service that enables you to connect to your conference call without having to wait for an operator. If you have a Diamond Pass™ click the above link to associate your pin and receive the access details for this conference, if you do not have a Diamond Pass™ please register through the link and you will receive your Diamond Pass™ for this conference.

Primary Access Toll Number

+91 22 6280 1120

+91 22 7115 8021

US Toll-Free Number

Singapore Toll-Free Number

1 866 746 2133

800 101 2045

UK Toll-Free Number

Hong Kong Toll-Free Number

0 808 101 1573

800 964 448

No passcode Required

 

Please dial any of the above numbers five to ten minutes ahead of schedule. The operator will provide instructions on asking questions before and during the call.

 

The replay of the call will be available two hours after the end of the call on the following numbers.

 

Call Playback Numbers:

Phone Number

Passcode/Conference ID

Replay Dates

India

+91 22 71945757

Access Code: 947765

19-Apr-24 to 26-Apr-24

Toll Free USA

+1 8332898317

Access Code: 947765

19-Apr-24 to 26-Apr-24

 

Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading technology services and consulting company focused on building innovative solutions that address clients’ most complex digital transformation needs. Leveraging our holistic portfolio of capabilities in consulting, design, engineering, and operations, we help clients realize their boldest ambitions and build future-ready, sustainable businesses. With over 240,000 employees and business partners across 65 countries, we deliver on the promise of helping our customers, colleagues, and communities thrive in an ever-changing world. For additional information, visit us at www.wipro.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Wipro’s beliefs regarding future events, many of which are by their nature, inherently uncertain and outside Wipro’s control. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Wipro’s growth prospects, its future financial operating results, and its plans, expectations and intentions. Wipro cautions readers that the forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, complete proposed corporate actions, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry.

 

Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Annual Reports on Form 20-F. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.

Contacts

Dipak Bohra

+91 80 61427201

Categories
Business Culture Digital - AI & Apps Education Lifestyle Perspectives Technology

Pearson accelerates and increases the development of AI learning content to meet growing demand from students and professionals

HOBOKEN, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — As Generative AI rapidly evolves and demand soars for AI-related skills, Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world’s leading learning company, is bringing to market new learning content covering the application of AI. According to the World Economic Forum The Future of Jobs Report 2023, the increase in adoption of advanced technologies like AI means that 44% of workers will need to be upskilled or reskilled over the next five years.

 

Pearson’s new AI content will help more students and technology professionals understand large language models, machine learning, deep learning, cybersecurity, and ethics. This includes:

  • More than 10 new IT professional AI titles covering topics from prompt engineering to the use of AI in customer support.
  • Updates to existing AI-focused higher education and professional learning content to ensure the most up-to-date information, including titles like Quick Start Guide to Large Language Models by Sinan Ozdemir.
  • 30 on-demand AI video courses and more than 580 hours of live virtual AI training events taught by the same industry experts who author Pearson titles. Video content development will double from what we brought to market in 2023.

 

Tom ap Simon, President of Pearson Higher Education said, “With AI skills becoming increasingly important in the job market and helping humans be more productive, the need for AI learning is growing. We’re seeing more interest than ever in AI video content for IT professionals, and higher education courses. Now is the time for learners to seize the new opportunities being fueled by AI, and Pearson content helps them do that.”

 

“The rapid evolution of AI means people are learning and getting up to speed while the technology itself is changing. Keeping pace with AI is an ongoing challenge, especially for professionals who constantly need new skills for their jobs. I’m thrilled Pearson is committed to authors bringing our expertise to learners quickly and responsibly,” said Pearson author, Sinan Ozdemir.

 

Pearson is committed to investing in the responsible application of AI to advance product innovation and enhance the learning experience to educate, certify, and credential students and the workforce.

 

A selection of the new AI titles, AI-focused video courses, and live AI training and events are provided below:

Titles

Video courses

Live virtual training and events

This content builds on Pearson’s flagship AI titles including Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, which is authored by Stuart Russell, Professor at University of California-Berkeley and one of the 2023 Time 100 Most Influential People in AI, and Peter Norvig, Director of Research at Google and Distinguished Education Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s leading learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.

Contacts

Media
Dan.Nelson@Pearson.com

Categories
Business Culture Digital - AI & Apps Economics Education Lifestyle Perspectives Programs & Events Regulations & Security Technology

AM Best to participate and exhibit at RIMS’ 2024 RISKWORLD Conference

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insurance—AM Best will participate and exhibit at RISKWORLD—the RIMS 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition—with sessions that will focus on reinsurance market conditions, cyber risks, artificial intelligence, stress testing and workers’ compensation. The risk management event takes place May 5-8 at the San Diego Convention Center, in San Diego, Calif.

On May 6, at 1:55 p.m. (PST), Dawn Walker, associate director, AM Best, will give a presentation titled, “Improving Conditions for Reinsurers and the Implications.” Walker also will give a presentation at 2 p.m. (PST) on May 7 titled, “Workers’ Compensation: Are Favorable Frequency Trends Sustainable?” Walker joined AM Best in 2022 and is part of its Strategy and Communications department; she has more than 15 years of insurance industry and risk management experience.

 

Sridhar Manyem, senior director, AM Best, will also deliver a pair of presentations at the conference. The first titled, “Cyber Insurance: Moderating Prices and Cautious Underwriting Even as Cyber Risks Resurface,” will be held at 9:55 a.m. (PST) on May 7. His second presentation will take place at 10:30 a.m. (PST) on May 8 and is titled, “AI in Insurance: Risks and Opportunities.” Manyem is the head of AM Best’s industry research team and oversees publishing of the company’s perspectives on topical issues.

 

Maura McGuigan, managing director, AM Best, will give a presentation titled, “The Critical Function of Effective Stress Testing,” at 3:30 p.m. (PST) on May 7. McGuigan is the head of credit rating criteria at AM Best, and responsible for the testing and review of its credit rating methodology criteria, models and tools, and economic and country risk.

 

In addition, AM Best will exhibit at booth No. 1636 at the conference. Visitors to the AM Best booth can learn about the rating agency, its role in the insurance industry and the resources it offers to insurance professionals, including Best’s Credit Ratings, insurance data and analysis resources and financial data products, and Best’s Performance Assessment for Delegated Underwriting Authority Enterprises (DUAEs).

 

A Best’s Performance Assessment is an industry-first tool providing an objective, independent opinion of a DUAE’s ability to perform services on behalf of carriers. DUAEs such as MGAs and MGUs, have become an important part of the insurance value chain, with premiums having doubled globally over the last decade.

 

In addition, AMBest TV will provide video coverage of the conference. For daily reports, panel discussions and executive interviews, visit https://www.ambest.tv/rims24 during the event or look for the RIMS-related playlist under the “Event Coverage 2024” tab at https://www.ambest.tv.

 

RIMS is an industry association of risk professionals, with its 80 chapters more than 200,000 risk practitioners and business leaders from over 75 countries. To view the official agenda and learn more about RISKWORLD, please visit the event overview.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 882 2310
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 882 2318
al.slavin@ambest.com

Categories
Business Culture Digital - AI & Apps Economics Education Environment Lifestyle Perspectives Programs & Events Regulations & Security Technology

AM Best to host webinar on the growing impact of secondary insurance perils

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — AM Best will host a complimentary webinar, titled, “From Convective Storms to Flood: The Growing Impact of Secondary Insurance Perils,” on April 23, 2024, at 2 p.m. EDT.

 

While natural catastrophes such as hurricanes and earthquakes grab all the headlines, secondary perils including flood, convective storms and wildfires lurk in the shadows, posing significant threats to businesses and individuals alike.

 

In a one-hour webinar sponsored by Munich Re U.S., an expert panel will unravel the complexities of secondary perils (also known as non-peak perils), exploring their nature, impact, and mitigation strategies. Register now.

 

Key points to be covered:

  • Defining secondary insurance perils: Discover what constitutes secondary perils and how they differ from primary risks.
  • Identifying secondary perils: Explore a range of secondary perils commonly encountered.
  • Impact on insurance coverage: Understand how secondary perils can impact insurance coverage and claims processes.
  • Mitigation strategies: Learn proactive approaches to mitigate the risks posed by secondary perils and safeguard your assets.
  • Lessons learned: Gain valuable insights from real-world examples illustrating the consequences of overlooking secondary perils.

 

Panelists:

  • Tehya Duckworth, senior vice president, /property underwriting manager, Munich Re U.S.;
  • Joe Bonanno, senior vice president/excess and surplus, property underwriting manager – Northeast and Midwest, Munich Re Specialty Insurance; and
  • Sean Kevelighan, chief executive officer, Insurance Information Institute.

 

Attendees can submit questions during registration or by emailing webinars@ambest.com. The event will be streamed in video and audio formats, and playback will be available to registered viewers shortly after the event.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2024 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Lee McDonald
Senior Vice President, Publication & News Services
+1 908 882 2102
lee.mcdonald@ambest.com

Categories
Business Culture Digital - AI & Apps Economics Education Lifestyle Regulations & Security Technology

Google updates Search to show crypto wallet balances across bitcoin and EVM networks Arbitrum, and others

Abner Li / 9to5Google:

 

 

—  Google Search is home to various tools and the latest lets you look up Bitcoin addresses to show the balance of any wallet.

 

Announced on Tuesday, you can “Search for any of your wallet addresses across bitcoin and five new EVM networks.” The latter (Ethereum Virtual Machine) is a component of another cryptocurrency.

 

Enter a Blockchain address into Google Search and the first result will be a card noting your Bitcoin balance and when it was last updated. Google notes that this is the “Balance as of last transaction. Supported formats include: P2PKH, P2SH, and Bech32. Extended public key addresses are not currently supported.”

 

https://x.com/rajanpatel/status/1772804743745921131?s=20

 

All Bitcoin transactions are public on a distributed ledger, the “blockchain.” Knowing an address cannot reveal the owner, while the private key is what’s needed (and has to be kept secure) to retain control.

 

Meanwhile, Google Search will also show Ethereum balances. It’s looking at Arbitrum, Avalanche, Fantom, Optimism, and Polygon. This joins other tools like searching for the price of Bitcoin (e.g., BTC USD) like you would with any other stock.

 

Read More

 

 

— Techmeme

Categories
Culture Digital - AI & Apps Energy Environment Government Healthcare International & World Lifestyle Perspectives Regulations & Security Science Technology

How Ukraine recreates Soledar Salt Mine, let players compete for prizes, plus donate to restore school hit by Russian missile

—  The Soledar Salt Mine in eastern Ukraine shut down in early 2022 amidst the Russian invasion.  The Ukrainian government recreated it in Minecraft to raise funds to restore a school hit during the war.

 

Justin Ling / Wired:

 

— On Feb. 24, 2022, Stepan Bandrivskyi woke up before dawn and got ready for a special day: his birthday.

 

It wouldn’t be a particularly happy one. Hours earlier, a couple dozen miles away, Russian tanks had rolled across the borders of his native Ukraine. The full-scale invasion had begun.

 

Like so many other Ukrainians, Bandrivskyi didn’t know what to do. So he went to work, to the Soledar Salt Mine, a cavernous state-run operation in Eastern Ukraine. Kyiv says it is the biggest such mine in Europe. His manager told him to go home: The mine was closed. It hasn’t resumed operations since.

Bandrivskyi fled the region not long after, as Russian forces advanced. After nearly a year of fighting, during which the mines were turned into bunkers, Russia seized and occupied the town of Soledar—although fierce fighting continues nearby. Over time, Bandrivskyi came to the painful realization that he may never see the salt mine, and its eerie and isolated beauty, ever again.

 

Last year, Bandrivskyi received a phone call from a colleague. “He invited me to participate in a very interesting project,” he says.

 

The Ukrainian government wanted to completely map the mine “and translate it into a game environment,” he says. Bandrivskyi seized the opportunity. “I wanted to keep it in my memory, and I wanted other people to be able to kind of immerse themselves in this world as well,” he says.

With that, Minesalt was born.

THE IDEA FOR Minesalt comes from United24, the official crowdfunding arm of the Ukrainian government. For nearly two years, United24 has raised funds to rebuild apartment blocks and purchase de-mining equipment. Last year, United24 began shipping batches of salt to donors, through its “Soledarity” campaign—raising some $3 million to purchase reconnaissance drones.

 

But as the war drags into its third year, donor fatigue has set in. That has pushed United24 to come up with new and innovative ways of attracting the world’s attention—and support.

 

Minesalt, which launches last Thursday might be their most inspired effort yet.

 

A recreation of the mine in Minecraft.

 

“It is important for us to remember and talk about every Ukrainian city that is under temporary Russian occupation,” Yaroslava Gres, chief coordinator of United24, told WIRED in a statement. Last summer, when a team suggested bringing Soledar to life as a video game, it was a very easy idea to say yes to.

 

Built for the wildly popular sandbox game Minecraft, Minesaltchallenges players to race through the mine, collecting 140 hidden salt crystals as fast as possible. At the end of the run, a quiz tests players’ recollection of details from Soledar. But, like in the rest of Minecraft, Minesalt players can also opt to wander at their own pace.

 

Read More

 

 

— Techmeme

Categories
Business Digital - AI & Apps Government International & World Lifestyle Perspectives Programs & Events Regulations & Security Science Technology

Leaders from 20 EU countries sign the Quantum Pact to recognize the importance of quantum tech for enhancement of  Europe’s scientific and industrial competitiveness

—  Thomas Skordas of the European Commission describes the Quantum Pact as the EU’s attempt to make Europe the ‘Quantum Valley’ of the world.

 

 

Vish Gain / Silicon Republic:

 

 

EU leaders have gathered today (22 March) to sign what they are calling a Quantum Pact that recognises the importance of advancing quantum computing technologies to enhance the bloc’s scientific and industrial competitiveness.

 

Quantum computing has been rapidly advancing with major breakthroughs taking place around the world. The emerging technology has potential to transform a range of sectors, including medicine, energy, communications, cybersecurity, space, defence, as well as climate and weather modelling.

 

“It will enable huge productivity gains, revitalise industry and open up new markets, applications and job opportunities,” said Thomas Skordas, deputy director-general responsible for communications networks, content and technology in the European Commission.

 

Skordas was filling in for EU commissioner Thierry Breton at the Shaping Europe’s Quantum Future conference held in Brussels, Belgium today. He describes the Quantum Pact as the EU’s attempt to make Europe the “Quantum Valley” of the world.

 

“Only by building on our strengths, by working together, by being ambitious, by targeting the whole spectrum of activities – research, industry, infrastructures, talent, external partnerships and more – can we transform Europe into the leading region globally for quantum excellence and innovation. Quantum will help us to challenge the boundaries of what is possible.”

 

The event featured keynotes, panel discussions and workshops on EU quantum strategy and was held at the Belgium Institute of Natural Sciences.

 

A declaration was first signed in December, setting the stage for cooperation, investment and innovation in quantum computing technologies in the EU and positioning it as a global leader in the space.

 

The pact today has been signed by 20 European countries: Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Ireland has not signed the pact.

 

Last month, the EU and Canada announced intentions to boost their strategic digital partnership to address “new challenges in digital transformation” such as in the areas of AI, quantum science, semiconductors, public policy related to online platforms, secure international connectivity, cybersecurity and digital identity.

 

For quantum science, the regions intend to expand “mutually beneficial collaboration” to improve and accelerate research, development and innovation in the area, while also promoting jobs and the use of quantum tech in the broader economy.

 

Read More

 

 

— Techmeme

Categories
Business Culture Digital - AI & Apps Government International & World Lifestyle Regulations & Security Technology

Chinese officials have begun to follow the new PC, laptop, and server guidelines to phase out Intel/AMD processors and Windows from government PCs and servers 

Microsoft’s Windows and foreign database programs also sidelined as Beijing favors Chinese hardware and software

 

 

Financial Times:

 

 

—  China has introduced new guidelines that will mean U.S. microprocessors from Intel and AMD are phased out of government PCs and servers, as Beijing ramps up a campaign to replace foreign technology with homegrown solutions.

 

The stricter government procurement guidance also seeks to sideline Microsoft’s Windows operating system and foreign-made database software in favor of domestic options. It runs alongside a parallel localization drive under way in state-owned enterprises.

 

The latest purchasing rules represent China’s most significant step yet to build up domestic substitutes for foreign technology and echo moves in the U.S. as tensions increase between the two countries. Washington has imposed sanctions on a growing number of Chinese companies on national security grounds, legislated to encourage more tech to be produced in the U.S. and blocked exports of advanced chips and related tools to China.

 

Officials have begun following the new PC, laptop and server guidelines this year, after they were unveiled with little fanfare by the finance ministry and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Dec. 26.

 

They order government agencies and party organs above the township level to include criteria requiring “safe and reliable” processors and operating systems when making purchases.

 

On the same day in December, the state testing agency, China Information Technology Security Evaluation Center, published its first list of “safe and reliable” processors and operating systems, all from Chinese companies.

 

Among the 18 approved processors were chips from Huawei and state-backed group Phytium. Both are on Washington’s export blacklist. Chinese processor makers are using a mixture of chip architectures including Intel’s x86, Arm and homegrown ones, while operating systems are derived from open-source Linux software.

 

Beijing’s procurement revamp is part of a national strategy for technological autarky in the military, government and state sectors that has become known as xinchuang or “IT application innovation.”   The standards “are the first nationwide, detailed and clear instructions for the promotion of xinchuang,” said a local government official managing IT system substitution.

 

State-owned enterprises were similarly told by their overseer, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, to complete a technology transition to domestic providers by 2027, according to two people briefed on the matter.

 

Since last year, state groups have begun quarterly reporting on their progress in revamping their IT systems, though some foreign technology would be allowed to remain, the people said.  The state-led march away from foreign hardware will dent US companies in China, starting with the world’s dominant PC processor makers, Intel and AMD.

 

China was Intel’s largest market last year, providing 27 per cent of its $54bn in sales and 15 per cent of AMD’s $23bn in sales. Microsoft does not break out China sales but president Brad Smith last year told the US Congress that the country provided 1.5 per cent of revenues. Microsoft and Intel declined to comment. AMD did not respond to a request for comment.

 

It may be difficult for Intel or AMD ever to make the list of approved processors. To be evaluated, companies must submit their products’ complete R&D documentation and code. The top criteria for evaluation is the level of design, development and production completed within China, according to a notice from the state testing agency.

 

Read More

 

 

— Techmeme

Categories
Business Culture Digital - AI & Apps Economics Government Lifestyle News Now! Perspectives Regulations & Security Technology

DOJ has analysis for against Apple; Sources: Apple to roll out its system to update packaged iPhones’ software for its US stores in April 

Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:

 

 

—  With its lawsuit against Apple, the Justice Department focuses on outdated issues and irrelevant points, missing an opportunity to address more pressing concerns.

— Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook holding an iPhone 15 Pro Max. — Photo by David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

 

Also: Why the company is talking to generative AI partners; Sonos readies a fresh Roam speaker; and Apple prepares a wide rollout of a nifty new retail store feature.

Last week in Power On: Apple’s new CarPlay becomes its last hope to crack the automotive industry.

The Starters

— Merrick Garland, the US attorney general, unveiled the antitrust case against Apple last week. — Photo by Nathan Howard/Bloomberg

Despite the friendly image that Apple Inc. cultivates, it’s a hard-driving company behind the scenes. Just ask the many suppliers that Apple has abruptly dropped or the app developers it has put out of business.

 

Apple also hasn’t been one to welcome openness or competition. It refused to bring its iMessage app to Android phones and only agreed to adopt the cross-platform RCS messaging system under mounting pressure. Apple makes developers use its in-app purchase system, shuns cloud-gaming services and has been reluctant to open up its tap-to-pay chip to outside apps — all because it wants to protect its kingdom from rivals.

That’s provided the US Department of Justice with plenty of fodder for its antitrust lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday. But the case relies mostly on outdated arguments and cites problems that Apple is already resolving. It even levels the dubious claim that Apple makes its products worse in order to harm rivals. (The DOJ also takes credit for Apple’s success, attributing the company’s rise to a Microsoft Corp. antitrust settlement in 2001).

But perhaps the biggest flaw in the case: It does little to prove that Apple has harmed consumers.

The lawsuit claims that the main reason people hold on to their iPhones is because Apple makes it difficult to switch, not because people — I dunno — actually like their iPhones. The DOJ goes as far as to claim that Apple is trying to hurt automakers with a new version of CarPlay that takes over more of the instrument panel. But that service is completely optional for both consumers and auto brands (and, let’s face it, not at risk of being widespread anytime soon).

The government even makes the fairly silly assertion that Apple’s control over the iPhone led to the very public failures of Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft in smartphones. It argues that cloud-gaming apps were barred in order to sell pricier iPhone hardware and that Apple is responsible for the learning curve that makes it more difficult to switch to Android.

There are very real concerns with some of Apple’s practices. But the Justice Department spends less time on those issues, focusing instead on half-baked claims that suggest a lack of familiarity with modern technology.

 

Read More

 

 

— Techmeme